Lemons is still listening to the Florida Gators pitch

The Florida Gators have had all nine assistant coaches on the road this week and they’ve had two coaches stop by to see some of their big name targets during the week at their practices.

North Carolina running back commit Adarius Lemons (6-1, 192, Clearwater, FL High) was one of those players that had two coaches visit him including running backs coach Tim Skipper.

“Coach Skipper came by my school on Wednesday to watch me practice,” Lemons said. “He and Coach [Doug] Nussmeier stayed for a very long time to watch us practice. It was good to see them out there and it showed me that they really see something in me and want me at Florida.”

Since coaches aren’t allowed to talk with prospects during the visit, Lemons spoke with Skipper over the phone later that night to get feedback on his practice.

“I talked to Coach Skipper over the phone and he said that he liked how I went through the drills,” he said. “He said that he liked how I moved and how I carried the ball high and tight when I was running. He said that he can’t wait to coach me.”

Skipper also shared a recruiting message to Lemons about how he would fit into the Gators’ offense if he chooses Florida for college.

“He told me that they run the pro-style system which is similar to what I run in high school so they think I can fit in great there,” Lemons said. “He was telling me that they run some of the same plays I run in high school so it wouldn’t be too much different. He said that they run some things a little different but it wouldn’t be hard to adjust.”

Lemons says that he not only speaks with Skipper on a regular basis, he also speaks with the Gators offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier over the phone and he shares a message with the running back as well.

“I really speak to Coach Nussmeier and to Coach Skip over the phone,” he said of the Gators coaches he talks too. “Coach Nussmeier just told me that he liked me and he has actually been recruiting me the longest, even before Coach Skip. He and Coach Skip are good partners and have been recruiting hard trying to get me. I like that about them.”

Nussmeier and Skipper have both expressed how Lemons is different from the current running backs on Florida’s roster, plus how many they want in 2017.

“They feel like that I’m very fast and they need someone like me with my speed,” Lemons said. “They were telling me that if I commit that I would be the only running back they would take this year. It means a lot.”

Despite committing to North Carolina earlier this year, Lemons says he still talks to Florida a lot and he explained why that is the case.

“Florida has been recruiting for me the longest time and are recruiting me hard,” Lemons said. “Florida is showing their loyalty to me and I like that about them so that’s why I talk to them. I’m starting to look at the staying home thing so my family could come and see me play.”

Florida did a good job of recruiting Lemons on Wednesday and it was good enough to get the Gators moved up on his list.

“I’m still solid to North Carolina and Florida is the team right behind them,” he said. “I’m still going to go and check out some visits and I’m planning on visiting Florida this summer. I want to make a final decision after my senior year.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Lemons is someone that the Florida Gators are hard after and want. That showed by sending two coaches to see him on Wednesday. Lemons is one of the top running backs in the state, if not the top guy.

Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.

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